Prologue'Run!' I tell
myself."Come Here!" he
yelled.Crap, he got me."Let go of me!"
I yelled.He began to
push me into the van, until I kicked him under his chin,and made a
break for nearby public place. I was running, and then sawthe mall.I ran inside,
and went upstairs, I quickly hid.He quickly came
up behind me, and grabbed me."NO!" I yelled
as loud as I could.I quickly let
go, but he pushed me, and I hit my shoulder on a pole,which
dislocated it, and I let out a blood curtiling scream.All of a sudden
a cloth was put over my mouth, and nose, I quicklyfell
unconscious.Chapter 1 - HaleyI felt my blood
run cold, when I see Dalia being shoved into a van."Hey!" I
yelled, racing towards her captor."Back off,
lady. I'm not afraid to shoot you." He threatened.He had blonde
hair, green eyes, and a scar behind his ear.I didn't care,
I raced towards him, he pulled out his gun, and pulledthe trigger. I
fell to the ground, in excruciating pain; I covered myshoulder, as it
was bleeding out. My vision began to blur, as he threwDalia in the
backseat, he began to drive away quickly, but I caught aglimpse of the
license plate, 832 AXV.Then darkness
overcame me.I woke up in my
bedroom, hoping it was all a dream. When I shot upfrom bed, I
still felt the burning pain in my shoulder. My husband,Josh walked in
with glassy eyes."The bullet
only grazed your shoulder, but Dalia's gone." He explained."Are the police
here?""Yeah." He
replied. He helped me out of bed, and walked me downstairs."Mrs. Bennett?""Yes.""Do you have a
description of your daughter's kidnapper?""Yes, uh he has
blonde hair, green eyes, and a scar behind his ear." Iexplained."Did you see
the license plate?""N-no…."
I lied, my voice went high, I pretended to cry, so itwouldn't seem
like I was lying.Josh looked at
me accusingly, but dropped the subject."Okay, we'll do
an Amber Alert, and start searching for your daughter.""T-Thank you."
I said.Officer Jamie
left our house, and that's when Josh confronted me."Why did you
lie to the police?" he asked."Because if I
told them the license plate number, they would put it onthe Amber
Alert, and her kidnapper would easily see it, and either geta fake license
plate number or use a completely different car." Iexplained,"So how are we
going to find her?""We'll do it
the way regular parents does it, but then we're going tofind her,
without police help.""What are you
going to do?" he asked.I thought for a
moment, what was I going to do?Then it hit me."Buy a gun." I
explained."Are you sure?"
he asked. I nodded.I will find
Dalia, even if it's the last thing I do.Chapter 2 - DaliaI woke up in a
dull, barren room, it smelled like mold, and it made mynose burn.My legs and
arms were bound to a chair, but I wasn't gagged.Maybe if
someone could hear me scream, maybe I'll find a way out."Help; Somebody
Help!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.The door in
front of me burst open. The same guy who took me looked atme with his
Emerald green eyes; his fist collided with my cheek."Shut up!" he
yelled. I looked up and I saw another figure coming downthe stairs."Brian?" a
voice called out.Brian cursed
under his breath. The guy who came down the stairs, hewas blonde,
chocolate brown eyes"Dude, I
thought you said you would stop this, I'm not afraid ofturning you
in." he threatened.I could've
sworn I saw a tint of red in each of their eyes.He shoved the
blonde guy against the wall and put his forearm to hisneck, like he
was going to snap his windpipe."Listen, you
think I'm afraid of killing my own little brother, howabout you two
make friends and hope that you two will live bytonight." Brian
threatened. He pushed his brother to the ground, andleft the room,
locking the door behind him.He sighed, and
untied me. "I'm Austin.""Dalia."He got up, and
looked around, when he came back, he handed me an ice pack."Thanks." I
muttered.He smiled
sadly. "I'm sorry about this, my brother he changed….""How did he
change?""I don't know,
after college he got involved in drugs, and alcohol,and kidnapping.
But I didn't know it was kidnapping, I just thought itwas one of his
'girlfriends'.""I'm going to
get you out of here." He said. I felt myself blush.Why am I
blushing, I mean I just met this guy, and I already like him,but I'm feeling
a good vibe from him, unlike his brother.An awkward
silence overcame us.I sighed, and
finally asked the dreaded question."He doesn't
like…rape girls. Does he?""Only to the
ones he likes.""The ones he
likes?" I asked"Yeah, the ones
that put up a fight, and not to scare you, put you putup a huge
fight, I heard you kicked him in the chin." He said.I chuckled.
"What does he do to the girls he doesn't like?" I asked,regaining my
seriousness.He remained
silent for a moment. "He brands them, and sells them as slaves."I gulped.The door opened
and I trembled inside.Brian came in
with a tray of food, and dropped it in front of us.I looked at the
food, and looked up at him."What? No thank
you?" he asked me.I stayed silent."What are you
mute?"He rose up his
hand and it collided with my cheek."Cut it out!"
Austin yelled."Sit down!"
Brian said, and pushed him to the ground.He clutched my
shirt, and punched me in the stomach."Why don't you
cry?" he asked.I still didn't
say anything; he hit me again, and pushed me to theground. Austin
helped me stand up."Because I was
taught not to show weakness if I didn't want thatperson to see
me cry, and besides I think you would like it if Icried." I
responded, and wiped my bottom lip with the back of my hand."Feisty." Brian
said. He lifted my chin with two fingers, and leanedin to kiss me.
I pushed his hand away rudely, and slapped him. Hestood there
with his head to the side, he chuckled. "Just for that,this will be
your last meal." He said. He slammed the door, and lockedthe door behind
him.I looked down
at the tray of food, deciding whether or not I should eat it.The mashed
potatoes actually looked deformed.I slowly pushed
the tray away."Yeah, I'm not
eating this." I say."How long have
you been here?" I asked."A year, he
wouldn't let me leave once I found what he was doing."Austin
explained."Now I know
where I recognize you, your face is plastered all overtown;
supposedly your parents are willing to pay five thousanddollars, for
your safe return." I explain.Chapter
3 - Haley"Look, I know
you don't like doing 'normal 'things, but the least youcan do is pass
out flyers, maybe someone have seen her." Joshsuggested,
desperately hoping I don't shoot someone. His hair wasstill long
enough to go over his eyes, just like in high school, andI’m
getting off topic."Fine, but no
bars.""I don't
drink." Josh objected."You do, when
you're depressed." I shot back.He was about to
object, but stayed silent.He grabbed the
key, and we drove around.We went
downtown, and by the mall where Dalia was taken."Hi, have you
seen this girl, she's my daughter.""No,
I’m sorry but I’ll ask around for her, what's her
name?""Dalia
Bennett." I replied.I went up to a
man, blonde, and he had a hell of a creepy smile."Hi, have you
seen this girl, she's my daughter.""No, I haven't
seen that little whore, so get out of my face."I tried not to
pummel him.I walked over
to Josh."No one has
seen her." he said."Well, give 'em
the look.""What look?" he
asked."This look." I
said. I pulled some hair over my eyes, flipped it, gavehim a sad
smile, and sad eyes with a glint of hope.His cheeks
reddened. "I-I don't do that.""Yes, you do.
You do it ALL the time, especially when you want something.""Try it on
them." I said.He walked over
to a few girls, early twenties. He gave them the look,and began
speaking; I could've sworn they all blushed at the sametime.They shook
their heads, and walked off."No luck." he
said.I looked over
to Josh, and I realized what he was doing, he was givingme the "look".
I know exactly what he wants. He needs a drink. I triedto resist his
dark brown eyes, but I couldn't."Ugh, fine!" I
said.He ran to the
car so fast, he deserves a Grammy. "One shot." I said.I drove him to
the bar."One shot of
vodka, please." Josh asked.Then he walked
in, Dalia's captor.I walked over
to Josh, and pushed the drink out of his hand."Look,
it’s him." I said. Josh's eyes flashed with anger."Wait, hold
on." I said. I noticed, he was talking to the guy thattold me off
earlier, he had files with him, something that couldeasily lead us
to her."I need you to
pretend that you're drunk, and grab those files, and run.""No problem."
he said, and took off. He hung around them, and fell ontop of them,
when they weren't looking he grabbed the files, and tookoff."Hey!" Dalia's
captor yelled, and they ran after Josh.I quickly ran
to my Camaro, all of a sudden it began to feel like anaction movie, I
quickly started it, and strapped myself in.I saw Josh, I
opened the door."Come on!" I
yelled. He jumped in, and we drove off, but I feltsomething hit
the back of my car. I realized it was those guys; theykept hitting my
camaro, so I picked up the speed a little. I quicklytook a turn,
and made it close to my neighborhood, but took the longway into the
neighborhood. The way to my house is complicated; firstwe take many
turns, but hope you don't get into a dead end. I took aleft turn, then
a right, then another left, and another one, andanother one,
then a right, and I drove into my garage, and quicklyclosed the door.Josh and I got
out of the car, and leaned against it. I looked down atcar and thought
about when Transformers first came out and Daliaconvinced me to
get a camaro that looked exactly like Bumble bee.Mom! You need a
new car right?'"Yeah.""Can we get
bumble bee? Please, please, please, please, pleeaase!""Fine!""Yay!" and
jumped at me with a hug.I realized I
was tearing up; I quickly wiped my tears, and went insidewith Josh.We sat at the
dining table, and looked over the files.We saw various
photos of us as a family, and single photos of Ally,and her
friends, except in the photos Dalia's face was circled.We also saw
photos of Dalia inside her room, dancing around like anidiot, singing,
crying, sleeping, and even changing.They've been
stalking her for months.Chapter 4 - DaliaI caught myself
staring at Austin, at his hair, his chocolate browneyes, his full
lips."Where's Brian?""He left, some
meeting with Roger, if he comes down here I don't knowwhat'll
happen." Austin said.I can't believe
I’m falling for him, I can't believe I’m falling forhim, and I just
met him. The door opened, Brian grabbed Austin by thecollar, and
dragged him up the stairs, and the door slammed in myface. All I
remember is hearing a gunshot and a thud. Oh my God, hek-killed Austin.I just sat
there, in complete shock, my eyes watering, I think I wasblacking out,
then Brian came down the stairs, and smiled evilly."Change of
plans." he saidHe could tell I
was confused so he explained."Your parents,
stole my files on you, while my buddy Roger was chasingthem, I came
back here, and decided to have a little fun.""Get away from
me." I said."You see,
I’m going to have to disagree with you babe, I’m
actuallygoing to see a
lot more of you, and you're going to see a lot more ofme, whether you
want to or not."All of a
sudden, I’m pinned on the ground. I try to move but
I’mcompletely
overpowered.Everything
starts to blur, I see my skirt ripped to shreds."No!" I yelled.
But it was too late, there was no one stopping me, Itried
resisting, and kicking, but when it actually happened, I yelledat everything
that happened.My eyes began
watering but I refused to let the tears to fall. Inoticed a
figure coming down the stairs, hope began to flourish withinme, and anger
flared in my eyes. I kicked him...there, and in theface, and
hopefully broke his nose. All of a sudden his body wasthrown off me,
and I saw Austin completely pounding his face in, thenI noticed
something, there was a gun on the night table, I quicklygrabbed got up,
and shot it upward, then pointed it at them."A-Austin, get
out of the way." I said. He slowly removed his fistfrom Brian's
heavily bruised face, and got off him."T-take the
gun." I said. Austin removed the gun from my shaky hands,and pointed the
gun angrily at him."There should
be some clothes over there," he said, signaling towardsthe dresser I
never noticed.I opened it,
and actually found some pants, I quickly put it on undermy skirt, and
ripped the remains of my skirt off."Ready?"He
asked."Yeah."We went up the
stairs, and I felt something grasp my ankle, I fell tothe ground, I
turned around to see Brian."I didn't
finish what I started.” he said. He let loose of my ankle, Ikneed him on
the side of his ribs, and kicked him down the stairs, andhe rolled
backwards down the stairs, his body just laid there."Do you think
he's dead?""I'm not sure,
just keep running." Austin said.He grabbed my
hand, and we ran out.Chapter 5 - HaleyI can't believe
they've been stalking Dalia for months, I just hope wehaven't
endangered anyone else.We heard a car
door close, outside.Josh quickly
turned off the lights, and pulled me under the table.Sure,
it’s a pretty cliché area to hide but how far were
we going toget in a few
seconds. The front door slammed open, and to be quitehonest, I
trembled in Josh's arms, he kissed the top of my head, andheld me close."Where are
they?"The man pulled
out a gun, and set it down on the table.All of a
sudden, I hit my head on the table, and someone grabs myankle, and
drags me out from under the table.I looked up to
see a blonde with a hell of a creepy smile. "You mustbe Dalia's
mother.""Yeah, and
I’m her father." Josh said, he grabbed a vase and slammedit on his head
knocking him unconscious.I reached into
his pocket and pulled out his wallet. Roger Williams."What do we do
with him?" Josh asked.I grabbed the
gun off the table, pulled the slide."I guess we'll
beat the information out of him," I said, jokingly, butpartially
serious.Josh nodded,
and laughed a little. I grabbed Roger by his arm, andattempted to
drag him to the back seat of my camaro.Josh picked him
up over his shoulder, and reached into Roger's pocketand pulled out
bullets and a gun.We walked back
into the garage, and dragged Roger into the back seatand strapped
him in."Where do we go
now?""There's an old
warehouse, down on Green Springs. We could take himthere." I
suggested.Josh pulled out
the gun, he loaded the gun, and pulled the slide, andput the gun in
his jacket pocket.We pulled over,
and Josh carried him inside.We tied him to
a chair, and put a black hood on his head just fordramatic effect.We waited a few
minutes. I began growing impatient, so I pulled theblack hood off
his head to reveal the bright fluorescent lights."Son of a..."
Roger began."Nice to see
you again." he said."Sure it is." I
replied.He looked me up
and down, and licked his lips."Look, just
tell me where she is." I said."Who? Oh,
Daniel-""Dalia!""Right, right."This guy is
really making my blood pressure rise."So, you want
to know where your daughter is. She's here in thisstate, but not
for long.""Where are you
taking her?""That sweetie
is confidential information.""DON'T call me
sweetie, tell me where she is, or I swear I will shoot you.""You don't have
the guts."I pulled out
the gun and pulled the trigger."Ahh, you
bitch!" he yelled."Tell me where
she is, and we'll drive you to a hospital.""She's...going
...to...be...shipped to Washington D.C, She's going tobe branded, and
sent into slavery, but it could be too late by then.""But where is
she now?""How would I
know, I said he could take her wherever he wanted." he said.I grabbed the
butt of the gun, and slammed it on the side of his headonly to knock
him out, I was being careful not hitting his temples.I ran my hand
through my hair, I drove Roger to the hospital, and wenton our long
journey against the odds, Josh is trying to keep himselftogether, just
as I am, no matter how much we just want to sleep withour windows
open and our doors unlocked and let the world take us, wewon't give in.We will find
Dalia dead or alive.Chapter
6 - DaliaWe ran, and we
are still running, through the woods, of God knows where.We kept running
until our lungs asked for air. We stopped at huge treegiving off
plenty of shade."How
much...longer…do we…have to run?" I asked."As far away
from him.""How do we know
he's not close by?""We would hear
his motorcycle engine from the distance." Austin explained.I nodded, and
finally caught my breath. I looked up to catch Austinstaring at me
with his deep brown eyes; I blushed, and looked away.I quickly
tucked my hair behind my ear. "Usually any other girl inthis situation
would be crying their eyes out, but you... you'redifferent.
It’s nice." Austin said."Thanks...I
guess..." I replied. In the distance, we heard the revvingof a motorcycle
engine, in the distance.Austin paled,
and my eyes widened.He grabbed my
hand, and we ran through the trees. The engine camecloser, and
closer.We ran through
the trees, took every turn that was available. Austinbegan climbing
a tree; he pulled down his hand, reaching for me. Hequickly pulled
me up, branch by branch, I quickly climbed up with him,until my foot
slipped, Austin's arm wrapped around my waist, whilestill holding
onto the tree. My heart was pounding, as he pulled mecloser, and for
the reason, I almost fell from the highest part of thetree. We stood
absolutely still, as Brian got off his motorcycle, andlooked around.
He looked up, and instantly caught us. His facialexpression
showed a mischievous grin. I pulled myself out of Austin'sgrip, and
dropped down on top of Brian, my feet landing on his chest."Austin!" I
yelled. He nodded; he pulled out a pocketknife, plunged itinto the trunk
of the tree, and managed to slide down without gettinga splinter.He grabbed my
hand, and ran. We kept running faster, and faster, atevery single
pace. What seems like only a few minutes, we have beenrunning for
hours?The sunsets on
the horizon, we finally stopped, Austin stops at a bushand pulls out a
duffel bag."What?""When he first
kept me here, I ran off, and planted these bags, forwhen I escape."
he explained.All of a
sudden, the air is being pushed out of me, I look back to seeAustin on the
ground right next to me. My legs burn, someone isturning around.It's Brian,
he's coming back, he ran over my legs, and ankle. Austinquickly grabbed
me, and the bag, and ran. We were at a dead- end, acliff, only
leading us down into deep waters. Austin managed to getthe bag on dry
land below us."Hold your
breath." he said.Before Ii knew
what happened, we're plunged underwater. We quicklyresurfaced, but
I couldn't breathe. I felt myself paling.Austin quickly
carried me to shore, and began pushing down on mychest. "Come
on, come on."He pressed his
lips to mine, and began giving me mouth to mouth.I coughed up
water, and caught my breath. Austin pulled me into a hug,and sighed in
relief. My leg was burning; I looked down to seemultiple tire
burns on my leg, and ankle. I realized Austin wasn't hitwith the
motorcycle, but he did scrape his arm on the rocks on the waydown. It made a
huge cut in his long sleeved t-shirt."You're
bleeding." I said. "The cut is too far up, we have to somehowget your arm
free, do you have scissors?" I asked.He shook his
head, oh no if he takes off his shirt, I might getdistracted. We
reached into the bag and our hands touched, I literallyfelt
electricity go up my arm. He pulled out a big tube of Neosporin;I grabbed some
tweezers, some rubbing alcohol, a towel, and somebandages.Austin whipped
off his shirt, and I will admit this I was quitedistracted, but
I pretended to not notice. He had pieces of rocks inhis cut; I
grabbed the tweezers, and pulled the tiny pieces of rocks.Austin winced,
"Sorry." I said. He bit his lip. "It's okay; this isthe most
first-aid. I've gotten in a while." he explained.I looked over
at his back, to see a huge bruise. "Why?" I asked."Brian, he
would get really drunk, and he would come to my room, andbeat the life
out of me. Every night, what seemed like hours would goon for minutes.""How'd you get
through it?" I asked."I didn't, he
eventually stopped...hurting me at least. But it didn'tmake a
difference, everything still hurts, it always hurts. Having theburden of all
those girls, wherever they are, on my shoulders, knowingI could've
stopped him, I could've helped them, but I didn't. It'sgoing to be
different this time." It was as if Austin's eyes weregetting deeper
and deeper by the second. His brown eyes locked onmine, his
intense stare. It’s freaking me out. I don't want to fallfor him,
because if I do, and he doesn't feel the same way it'll beawkward, and
what if we don't make it, I won't be able to say how Ifeel.He looked away
from our little stare down. I grabbed the bandage andwrapped it
around his arm.He opened the
tube of Neosporin, and told me to put it on my burn.Maybe because
it was on my leg, he didn't want to treat it."It'll take a
while, before the tire burns heals, we have to putNeosporin on it
every day, until it turns into a scab." he explained."Mhmm." I said.
We ran out of bandages, I stayed quiet trying not to bother him."Hey, we ran
out of bandages, why didn't you tell me?" he asked."I-I didn't
want to bother you."He shook his
head, then grabbed his shirt and tore it, and wrapped itaround my leg."There." he
said, and then he shook my hair, and chuckled. I blushed. A lot.I bit my lip,
and tucked my hair behind my ear, I began biting mynails, I bite
my nails, when I get overwhelmed or nervous."Hey, stop." he
said, gently pulling my hand down. "That's a badhabit." he
said. He grabbed a shirt out of the bag and put it on."Yeah...Usually
music calms me down, but there isn't any around." I said."We could make
some, do you sing?""Yeah, but
I’m not any good." I replied."Come on,
I’m sure you're not that bad, I’m pretty sure than
any otherperson I've
heard." he said.I cracked a
smile. He signaled me to come on.I sighed,
closed my eyes and began singing an original song As Life Goes By.When I opened
my eyes, Austin had a huge smile on his face."Did you write
that?""That was
awesome." he said.I smiled, and
started laughing nervously. "Do you sing?" I asked."A little.""Come on." I
said, poking his stomach."Okay, okay."He began
singing; I couldn't stop my smile from popping up on my face.He sang Never
Say Never by the Fray.He stopped
singing, blushed a little, and ran his hand through his hair."You're...great.""Thanks." he
replied."We have to set
up camp." he said. I nodded.We didn't have
a tent, all we had was a sleeping bag...ONE sleepingbag, a fire,
water, and some food.I helped with
the fire, and made everything all comfy. He set up apile of
blankets, and wrapped himself in it, I laid in the sleepingbag, it was big
enough to fit both of us, possibly four other peopleif you unfolded
it, and laid on the flat on the ground."Hey, Austin,
there's enough room in here, for you to sleep." I said."Are you sure?""Positive.""Are you
absolutely positive, you want me in that sleeping bag?" he asked.I nodded,
trying not to blush. He climbed in, and zipped the bag,enough to give
us warmth, but enough space to get up, and run iftrouble happens.The bag was
cold, and uncomfortable. I looked over to Austin toalready see him
fast asleep, he smiled a bit. He must be dreamingabout his
family.I tried to stay
huddled to myself, but clearly mother nature didn'tlike that, she
wanted to be cold, and I’d have to cuddle with him.Even though
Mother Nature has only the best in mind for me. so Iscooted closer,
and closer, until I was able to actually feel his bodywarmth, which
was quite close. "Dalia?""Hmm?""You're
freezing. You should come closer." Austin said, with so muchworry in his
eyes.I scooted even
closer, so close I could feel his breath on my neck, itwas actually
soothing. I closed my eyes, and let myself fall into hiswarmth, I
opened my eyes to see Austin staring at me. He quicklylooked away,
and blushed. I put my head on his chest, and closed myeyes once more.
"Have a good night’s sleep."

I hope. I
really hope we can make it out of this alive.Chapter 7 - HaleyI AM SO
STRESSED OUT.Roger is in the
hospital, Josh is yearning for a drink and Dalia isstill missing.
At least we have a lead on where she might be next.I closed my
eyes, trying my hardest not to cry, but it didn't work.The tears fell
like a waterfall, I started sobbing like an idiot, abroken hearted
idiot.Josh walked in
from the bathroom, and immediately comforted me. He putme on his lap,
and I cried into his neck. He rocked me back and forth."Shh." He
whispered, stroking my hair. It became silent, a comfortable silence."Hales?""Yes?" "I
remember something when we were looking over the files, Inoticed the
places her photo was taken, she was either with us or herfriends, and
I've also noticed that other girls faces were circled,and they were
coordinates on the back of the files, I tracked themdown, and I
found remote locations in the woods, and completelydifferent
states." he explained."Do you
think..?""Yeah." he
said. The phone rang, I looked at it, it was an unknownnumber, I
wasn't sure who it was, but I picked it up anyway."Hello?" I
asked."Yes, Mrs.
Bennett?" a deep voice boomed over the phone,"Yes?""We found a
body, we think it might be Dalia's." he said.It was like the
whole world slowed down, My knees buckled, I droppedthe phone, and
I was falling so hard."Haley!" Josh
yelled.He lifted me up
onto the sofa. Josh grabbed a tiny flashlight, andshone it in my
eyes."Your pupils
are dilating, calm down... just tell me what the phonecall was
about." Josh said.I nodded, I
slowly told him what the phone call was about. His jawclenched, and
his eyes watered."We have to go
anyway, it might not even be Dalia." he said. I nodded,blinking back
tears.I put on my
shoes, and we got into Bumblebee.I sat in the
passenger seat, just sat there with the blankestexpression on
my face.It seemed like
minutes simply driving to the morgue, even though ittook hours.
When the car stopped, I was thinking about everything thathas ever
happened between us, and what it would be like if she wasreally gone.Josh didn't
want to go inside, because dead people freak him out, buthe didn't need
to see if it was Dalia or not."Haley Bennett?"I stood up, and
walked through the gray, dull hallways, until we endedup in the
morgue. He went to the table in the middle of the room, weboth walked up
to the unknown body on the table.He lifted the
cover off the body. I quickly shook my head not wantingto see more.I ran out, I
stood outside the hospital, holding my stomach, andcovering my
mouth as I cried.Josh came to my
side, and wrapped his arms around me."Haley."I looked up,
and Josh was confused because I was smiling."It's not her,
Dalia's still alive, and out there somewhere, alive,and well, I can
feel it." I said.Josh smiled,
and put his hands on the sides of my face, and pulled meclose, his lips
connecting to mine. Even though I'm married, I stillblush the same,
and feel the same sparks, it’s all the same. We brokeaway, I put my
forehead to his, and bit my lip.

"Let's go find
Dalia." I said.Chapter 8 -
DaliaRun! My
instincts say.Before I could
comprehend anything that was happening we ran faster,and faster, but
it was not fast enough.The U-haul
truck stops right in front of us, and bikers completelyblocking the
other way out, we break through the trees, we jump over afew bushes,
took a few sharp turns, and finally stopped to catch abreath. "Ally,
are you okay?" "Yeah."I slid down the
tree, and hugged my knees. Austin bent down, andwrapped his
arms around me. "We're going to be okay." he muttered. Hekissed the top
of my head.We heard the
sound of motorcycle sounds getting farther. and fartherby the second.
Austin let go of me, and looked around. I turnedaround, and
began pacing."All's clear."
Austin said. I sighed in relief. Austin came behind meand wrapped his
arms around me, he was breathing on the back of myneck, as if he
was running.I turn around
to face him. He gives me a warm smile, his eyesflickering down
from my eyes to my mouth. He pressed his lips on mine,pulling me
closer, making the kiss deeper and more passionate. I putmy hands on the
back of his neck my fingers tangling in his hair.Everything felt
like it lasted a lifetime. We quickly broke away.Austin's sweet
face, quickly turned confused, and sad, his pupilsdilated, and he
fell to the ground. I dropped to my knees, checkingAustin's pulse.
"Austin?"I felt someone
come behind me, and grabbed my shoulders. "Hey babe." Ifelt myself
pale, my blood ran cold. That same grasp, that voice, thatnight that has
been haunting me.It's him.
Brian. He turned me around, to look into his slightly Ember,green eyes. His
grip on my arms got tighter, and tighter. He squeezedmy pressure
point, and I fell unconscious. I fell my body being throwninto the back
of a truck, and the door closed.My eyes flutter
open, I was about to sit up but someone pushed my headback down
against his chest. Austin."Stay down, or
they'll hurt you, and I don't want you getting hurt." he said.I closed my
eyes just wishing that it was a dream.I opened my
eyes, and wake up on Austin's chest, his steady heartbeat.I looked up to
see Austin smiling warmly at me."You're up.""Yeah.""I already put
everything away, we just have to find somewhere to go.""Where are we
exactly?" I asked."We're pretty
close to St. Petersburg, Florida."I simply
nodded. I have to get back to Miami.My eyes began
stinging from the smell. I lift up my arm, and smellunder my armpit."Oh God! I
stink." I muttered."Me too."Austin stopped,
and searched through his bag, he pulled out twotoothbrushes, a
towel, and some soap."I guess we
could get clean over there." He said, signaling toward the river."No way!""Fine,
I’ll guess you'll just smell, I’m going to get
clean, and therea few rocks
over there, so I doubt anyone will see or find us."Austin then
descended into the water, with his towel, and bar of soap.He put his
towel and other clothing on the rocks, and went behind therocks.I sat there
awkwardly waiting. I don't even have any clothes, unlesshe could let me
wear his?I let my eyes
drift off, and my dream continued.I stayed down,
closing my eyes."Wake them up!"I shut them
tight, a hand grasps my arms in their tight grip, pullingme from
Austin's protective grip, and slamming down to the ground, andkicking me in
the ribs."Wake up!" I
refused to open my eyes. "WAKE UP!" they yelled, nowstomping on my
ribs, and ankle.I force my eyes
open. There were 7 men in the room, 3 holding Austindown, and 3
others holding my legs, and arms.The last man
was someone I haven't seen before, he was blonde, and hada hell of a
creepy smile."Hello. Time
for branding." My eyes widen. One of the guys cover my mouth."Where should
it be? Arm? Leg? Stomach? Yeah we'll go with stomach." he said.They lift up my
shirt all the way to my ribs. He grabs the brander,and put it on
High.I shook my
head. "Sorry sweetie, we've got to whether you want it ornot." The brand
was nearly close to the delicate skin of my stomach,but all of a
sudden Austin sort of pushed me into the men holding me,keeping me a
reasonable distance from the brand, but the brand hitAustin in his
back shoulder. By the time the brand collided with hisskin, and his
face into my shirt, he screamed. "A-Austin!" I yelled,but it was
muffled. They turned the brand higher, and covered mymouth, so no
one would hear me scream.Angrily, they
turn me around, and put the brand in the exact spot as Austin.."Dalia!" My
thoughts were interrupted with Austin waving his hands infront of me."Your turn.""I don't have
any clothes?""There are some
clothes in the bag."I grabbed the
bag, and descended in the water. I hid behind the rocks,as I bathed.
The water was warm, but I still didn't feel comfortable.I realized
there was a cave, so I put my clothes on in there. Ichanged my
bandages, and I walked back.But I saw
something written in the sand.I Love Dalia
Bennett.That came out
of nowhere. There could be another Dalia Bennett, but Idon't think he
loves me. Maybe he wrote it and I wasn't supposed tosee it. I will
not talk to him about it.It would be
weird, and awkward. How could he love me, he just met me,maybe
it’s nothing.I met up with
Austin and we began our quest."I need to go
to the clinic.""Yeah, there's
one a few blocks from here."We walked down
the blocks, and finally made it to the clinic."Hi,
I’m Dr. Jameson. How may I help you?""I need to be
checked.""For what?""To see if I'm
pregnant, and if I have an STD?""It's an
emergency." I said with a sudden urgency."Okay."She made me pee
in a cup and tested it."Okay, you're
all clear, you're perfectly fine, but may I ask, were you raped?"My face went
pale, I looked down and nodded."Who?""I don't know
where he is, I don't really know who he is, I just don'twant to ever
see him again, he could be dead for all I know.""Please don't
tell anyone?""Fine, just be
careful, okay?"I nodded,
hugged the doctor as if she was my best friend."Are you okay?"
Austin asked."Yeah,
I’m fine. Let’s just go."Chapter 9 - Haley"Hales, You
ready?" Josh asked."Yeah, let me
just grab this." I said. I descended the stairs lockedthe door, and
got into the passenger seat."Where's our
first location?" I asked."I tracked it,
and it’s still in Florida, but its closer to Tampa,Florida." He
said.We don't live
very far from Tampa, which is good. I sat thereanxiously,
hoping that Dalia is there.We put in the
coordinates into the GPS, and it took us to a house inthe middle of
the woods. It looked pretty nice, no one seemed likethey were home.
The door was unlocked, we slowly opened it, and walkedin.There was
nothing here, we looked in the living room, the kitchen,then I went
downstairs. I saw Dalia's clothes on the ground."Oh my God..."
I said. There's no trace of any blood.We heard the
front door slam, and then I saw him.My body did
before my brain even knew what was going on, I tackled himto the ground,
and pounded his face in."Where is
she!?" I asked."I don't know
where she is, I was going after her, and they ran off.""They?" I asked."My kid brother
and your daughter, they were running from me.""Why should I
believe you?""Why would I
lie when a gun is pointed at my head?"I looked up to
see Josh holding the gun; he pulled the slide back tomake sure this
guy would tell the truth."Which way did
she go?""She's
somewhere near St. Petersburg."I gave him my
best death glare."I'm so
serious, she should be near that area, just don't shoot me."I brought up my
fist, and hit him square in the nose."What? He said
don't shoot him." I explained."I guess we're
going to St. Petersburg."
Chapter 10 - DaliaAfter the
doctor's appointment I felt happy.We cut through
the woods; we found this abandoned cabin, which wasloaded. At
first, I felt bad, but it looked no one was there for awhile. We
rather hung around for a while."So…""So what?"
Austin asked."I don't know,
I just thought you would bring up a topic."He shook his
head."I have
question.""Go ahead.""Can you
dance?" he asked. I chuckled, "Nope." I replied."Are you sure?"
he asked."Yeah, I'm a
terrible dancer.""Show me." he
said with a smile."Noo." I cooed.He finally
convinced me to. I did the dance I usually do. Clap, andjump and twist
around crazily.He held back
laughter."Okay, I'll
teach at least how to slow dance." he said."Okay." I said.He grabbed my
hand, and pulled me close. He put one hand on my waist,and held
another on my hand."Keep your eyes
locked on mine, and follow my lead." He said. We sortof went on for
a while."You're a fast
learner." he said."Why thank
you." I replied. We got closer, and I bit my lip whilelooking into
his deep brown eyes.We leaned in
closer, and closer by the second. My heart poundingloudly in my
chest, when we were only centimeters away, a loud crashcame from the
back of the house."I go left." I
said."I go right."
he replied."Meet in the
front?""But one more
thing." he said. He quickly laid a kiss on me beforerunning in one
direction.I smiled, ran
in the other direction, raced out the side door, and metup with Austin
in the front.He signaled for
me to run faster, and farther.I nodded, and
we took off. It was as if we were freestyle running, wejumped over
railings, and over rocks, and slid through open centers.We got onto an
open area, and kept on running."Okay, I think
we ran for about three miles." Austin said.I smiled, and
nodded, while looking at the ground.I looked up and
realized something.I stopped in my
tracks, completely paralyzed. I realized we were onthe same road
that my dream happened."We have to go
the other way." I said."Why?""I...just have
a bad feeling." I explained. He didn't argue with me,we were about
to run, until I saw one motorcycle, then another, andanother. We
turned the other way to see a U-haul truck right in frontof us.We break
through the trees, we jump over a few bushes, took a fewsharp turns,
and finally stopped to catch a breath. "Dalia, are youokay?" "Yeah."I slid down the
tree, and hugged my knees. Austin bent down, andwrapped his
arms around me. "We're going to be okay." he muttered. Hekissed the top
of my head. My dream has come true so far, but why didAustin kiss me?
But he does, I saw it.We heard the
sound of motorcycle sounds getting farther. and fartherby the second.
Austin let go of me, and looked around. I turnedaround, and
began pacing."All clear."
Austin said. I sighed in relief. Austin came behind meand wrapped his
arms around me. Everything's coming true, does thatmean Austin
will kiss me? Does he really love me?He was
breathing on the back of my neck, as if he was running.I turn around
to face him. He gives me a warm smile, his eyesflickering down
from my eyes to my mouth. He moved some hair away frommy eyes. He
pulled me closer to him and covered his mouth with mine ina hungry kiss,
pulling me closer, making the kiss deeper and morepassionate. I
put my hands on the back of his neck my fingers tanglingin his hair.
Everything felt like it lasted a lifetime. We quicklybroke away.
Austin's sweet face, quickly turned confused, and sad, hispupils dilated,
and he fell to the ground. I dropped to my knees,checking
Austin's pulse. "Austin?"I was really
hoping this wouldn't happen, and I know what's going tohappen next.I felt someone
come behind me, and grabbed my shoulders. "Hey babe." Ifelt myself
pale, my blood ran cold. That same grasp, that voice, thatnight that has
been haunting me.It's him.
Brian. He turned me around, to look into his slightly Ember,green eyes. His
grip on my arms got tighter, and tighter. I escapedhis grasp, and
fought him throwing my hardest punches, and kicks for apetite 16 year
old. He squeezed my pressure point, and I fellunconscious. I
felt my body being thrown into the back of a truck, andthe door
closed, with a loud click.It happened.
Everything I was afraid of.
Chapter 11 - HaleyWe drove to St.
Petersburg. She was nowhere to be found."What are the
other coordinates?" I asked."Washington
D.C."We drove to the
airport, and bought our tickets. I sat in the seatsanxiously. I
never really liked planes. I began biting my nails,clearly Dalia
got that habit from me."Hales." Josh
said reassuringly. "Stop, it’s hard enough to stop Daliafrom doing it,
I don't need you doing it."I sighed.
"Sorry."The plane began
to lift off the ground, and I prayed so dearly in myheart that Ally
was okay, breathing, planning to escape, just alive.I closed my
eyes, and my mind drifted off.I was in some
kind of factory. Men started coming my way, I brought upmy gun, and
shot them in minor places, the arm, leg.My cell phone
began to ring. I picked it up."Seriously, who
is this?" I asked."MOM!" Dalia's
voice rang through the phone."Dalia, where
are you?""I'm in some
type of factory! But hurry I think they're killing offpeople." she
said.I ran through
the hallways, I turned into the first room I saw.There she was,
Dalia was there, with a guy about her age, he seemed tobe about 5'9,
only two inches taller than Dalia. She seemed happy withhim, safe."Mommy!" she
said, jumping on me with a hug."Hi Dalia." I
said with a smile."So, who's
this, your boyfriend?" I asked.Dalia turned
beet red, and the young man with her rubbed the back of his neck."I'm Austin.""WE have to get
out of here," I said. We nodded, and began leaving."Where's Dad?""He's dead." a
voice came from behind us.Roger. Dalia's
eyes turned dark and cold.She tackled
him. "You tell me where he is?" she yelled."I told you
he's dead. Then tell me where his body is." She threatened.My eyes burst
open, my heart was pounding. I looked over to see Joshlooking over to
me.I sighed in
relief, and rested my head on his chest, his armsprotectively
wrapping around my waist."I love you,
and don't you forget it." I said."I love you
too.""We'll make it
through this, I know we will." Josh said.I hope so, I
really do hope so.
Chapter 12 - DaliaEverything is
the same, the darkness, the hint of warmth and protection.I open my eyes,
and wake up on Austin's chest. I try to shift around,but Austin
pushes my head down."Stay down, I
don't need them hurting you." he said protectively.I blush at the
fact he is protecting me, I blushed even harder knowinghe kissed me.
It was as if I could still his lips on mine."Wake them up."
a voice called.No. No. No. NO!I seemed to
block everything out, I was being stomped on ,my ribs, arms, ankle.Everything
seemed to be going as I saw it.The branding,
the verbal abuse.Afterwards, I
was slammed to the ground, hitting the current burn onmy back
shoulder.I manage to
pull myself up from the cold metal of the truck."A-Austin?""Yeah?""L-Let me s-see
your burn." I said.He turned
around to reveal a reddish burn."What's mine?"
I asked.Austin looked
like he was going to puke. "Do you really want to know?""Yeah.""It looks like
it peeled off your skin, but it looks whiter."I took a shaky
breath, and Austin pulled me into his arms despite the pain.I think we
blacked out in between those times. But I remember, thedoor of the
truck being opened, and Me and Austin being dragged out ofthe truck.I looked over
and saw a dirty blonde-haired person with a creepysmile, get paid
this one guy.We're in
slavery. They no longer see us as humans, just objects.In the far
distance, I see the Washington monument, we're in Washington D.C.My hands were
bounded by shackles, and on my ankle was a shock dogcollar, to keep
dogs from barking.I'm pushed into
a room with twelve beds., and the door closes, andlocks behind me.Eleven girls
come and ambush me. "Oh my gosh, are you okay?""Why would she
be okay? We're in slavery for God's sake!" a girl yelled.She was short,
with long dark hair, and she was of Hispanic Descent."I'm Trish.""Dalia."We then a
distant tapping, and all the girls trembled."Get into bed,
NOW!" Bridgit whispered.We all to our
beds, and pretended to be a sleep. The door burst open,my cover was
pulled off me, and I was dragged out of bed, and into thekitchen, in
front of a bucket of soap and water. "Clean!" they yelled.I did what I
was told."I'm done." I
told the guard. He had one green eye, and one dark eye,and a scar
going down his arm."Then go clean
the fridge."I nodded, and
cleaned the fridge. It wasn't the fancy ones, just theold ones with
the glass couriers."It’s
clean." I say. "You missed a spot.""What spot?" I
asked."That spot!" he
yelled. Then he grabbed his soda, and spilled allthroughout the
fridge. Upset, I grabbed the glass courier, and walkedover to the
sink to clean it. Instead, I grabbed it, and hit the manon his head.I began
fighting for my life, for my freedom. I'm leaving, and I’mtaking every
single girl and guy here.I noticed the
slave girls gathering around. "What is she doing?" One asked."Helping us
escape." Bridgit said."Go find that
guy that was here with her!" she commanded.They ran off,
I’m being beaten and bruised, then the guards are gone,one at a time.
I noticed Austin, a red- headed guy, and Trish helpingme fight, and
few of the slave girls were fighting back.I grabbed the
keys from one of the guards, and we ran, faster than ever.We ran down a
corridor, until Bridgit led us to the communications room.I grabbed the
nearest phone, and dialed a familiar number. Mom.I began hearing
gunshots, louder, and closer.Come on, Pick
up, pick up, and pick up!"Hello?" her
voice rang through the phone, and-
Chapter 13 - HaleyAs soon as the
plane ride was over, I got off the plane, and got intoour rental car.We punched in
the coordinates of Dalia's possible location.I got my gun
ready, I wore my running sneakers. Josh had the mostdetermined look
on his face. We had our guns, we had our phones, andwe had the
determination.In the
distance, I saw the Washington Monument.We're here. We
walked through the bushes, and the trees, and made itinto this gray,
dull area."Josh. Be
careful, please." I said."Don't worry.
We'll find our baby, and we're getting out of here." Hesaid. I nodded,
and determination flashed in each of our eyes.We walked in,
and heard screaming, and running girls, with dog collarson their ankles."Get back here!"I turned the
corner to see a man chasing a little girl with the mostterrified look
on her face.I grabbed the
gun, and shot the man in his leg, it sort of went on as a pattern.Then my phone
rang. I clicked the answer button on my Bluetooth."Hello?""MOM!""Dalia, where
are you?""I'm in some
type of factory! But hurry I think they're killing offpeople." she
said.I ran through
the hallways, I turned into the first room I saw.There she was,
Dalia was there, with a guy about her age, he seemed tobe about 5'9,
only two inches taller than Dalia. She seemed happy withhim, safe."Mommy!" she
said, jumping on me with a hug."Hi Dalia." I
said with a smile.My dream is
coming true, but I know that Josh is okay."So, who's
this, your boyfriend?" I asked.Ally turned
beet red, and the young man with her rubbed the back of his neck."I'm Austin.""WE have to get
out of here." I said. We nodded, and began leaving."Where's Dad?""He's dead." a
voice came from behind us.Roger. Dalia's
eyes turned dark, and cold.She tackled
him. "You tell me where he is!?" she yelled."I told you
he's dead. Then tell me where his body is." She threatened.I pulled the
slide on my gun, even though it was empty.I see Josh limp
into the room. I sighed in relief, and kick Rogerwhere the sun
don't shine, and stomped on the leg I shot him in, I hadzero sympathy
for him.I reached into
his pocket, and shut off the dog collars on theirankles, and we
raced outside."So, do you
have room for about 14 more people?" I asked.Me and Josh
exchanged looks, but nodded. We were in front of the car.We pulled down
all the seats, so everyone could sit, and be driven tothe hospital. I
got into the driver’s seat."Everyone
here?" I asked.They all
nodded. Bridgit cuddled with red head over there, I think hisname is Caleb.
All the other girls and guys stayed distant but close.I drive fast
when I'm overwhelmed. The car was filled with screams andwhimpers.
"Haley, slow down!" Josh said."Sorry!" I
replied."We're here!"
she yelled. We piled out off the van, we helped carryJosh inside,
and they all got treated for our injuries.All of a
sudden, piles of parents rush into the hospital. Who seemedlike Austin's
parents rushed and showered him with hugs, and kisses,then one person
walks in that just makes my blood boil."No!" she
yelled."Get out!"
Austin yelled."Just let us
explain!" Brian yelled."There's
nothing to explain, I'm calling the cops." Austin's mother threatened.
Chapter 14
- DaliaBut a troubling
thought came to mind. 'Who was that man that paidBrian's
partner?'I closed my
eyes, and flash backed to what happened only hours ago.FLASHBACK:The dirty
blonde got paid by a man in a dark drench coat.He was tall,
and broad, and his eyes...were light blue, and he haddark hair
tucked away under his hat, and when he reached out to givehim the money,
a large key was attached to his belt loop. The key tothe city. The
mayor.Reality:No way. The
mayor, I can't believe it. The Mayor of Miami, actuallyfollowed us,
and paid them to put us into slavery. That, that SKUNKBAG.Then Brian, and
Mayor Lester, and the Head of the FBI walk in."No!" I yelled."Get out!"
Austin yelled."Just let us
explain!" Brian yelled."There's
nothing to explain, I'm calling the cops." Austin's mother threatened."Ma'am, there's
no need to do that. Are you Dalia Bennett?" He asked facing me.I didn't
answer, I just stared at him."Come with me."
He said, grasping my arm tightly, making me wince. Hisgrip is
familiar, he was in the truck, he's one of the reasons we hadthose brands on
our backs, that aren't exactly done healing."Don't touch
her!" My mom, and Austin yelled.I wiggled out
of his grasp, and made a run for it, with my mom andAustin close
behind, as we run into my dad's hospital room."D-Dalia what's
wrong?""The FBI, and
the Mayor are in on the kidnappings, they're trying toget us." I
explained, and began biting my nails.Bridgit, and
Caleb ran in. "They're after you two?" I asked.Bridgit only
nodded, catching her breath.I closed my
eyes, trying anxiously to calm down."DALIA! Look
out!" I heard Austin yell. He pushed me out of the room,for a bullet
going in his leg."Austin!" I
yell. But he somehow managed to tackle the FBI agent, andcrashed through
the second story window, and landed on the roof ofwhere the
ambulance goes and drops offs patients.Out of
instinct, I swan dive out the window, and roll onto the roof,currently
followed by Bridgit, and Caleb.It was dark;
the only source of light was the moon, shining down on us."Assaulting a
Federal Agent, that'll get you in deep trouble.""Kidnapping,
Slavery, and you almost shot Dalia, and freaking shot me.I figured
that'll get you in an amount of trouble." Austin threatened.I'm surprised
he can still stand.I saw his ID,
Agent Moore.I noticed that
his ID is a fake! He's not a real agent. I can tellbecause
sometimes it has the abbreviation FBI on it, and it doesn'teven show photo
ID, and it doesn't even say Department of Justice onthe bottom.
Plus, the leather is cheap, and I can tear it off."What are you
doing!?""Ripping your
fake ID." I said nonchalantly.Furious, he
freaking rammed into me, pushing all the air out of me, Ifell off the
roof, and was falling, it wasn't a short distance, but itwasn't high up
either. Austin jumped after me, covering my head. Wehit an incoming
ambulance's windshield, and hit the ground, Austin andbroke my fall,
but unfortunately I broke my ankle."Dalia!"
Bridgit yelled. My vision was blurring, Austin's still losinga lot of blood,
so we rushed inside, whether my ankle was broken ornot.I sort of stole
supplies from the hospital, after the doctors removedthe bullet from
Austin, and put a cast on my ankle. I quickly limpedout, to see
Bridgit beating the life out of Moore."You stupid
skunk bag." Bridgit yelled. Then she pushed him.Gradually,
Caleb, and Bridgit climbed down carefully. To see AgentMoore's body is
gone."Crap!" Bridgit
said.I went back
inside, to see Brian, his partner, I think his name isRoger, and
Mayor Lester, surrounding Austin."Get away from
him." I said."What are you
going to do about it, with your broken ankle?" Roger said."This." I said
grabbing my crutch, and slamming it upward "there",then slammed it
into the mayors’ head, and helped Austin, and we gotaway.We hid behind
an ambulance. I stood up catching my balance.All of a
sudden, I feel this raging pain in the back of my head,something warm
begins to trickle down the side of my head. Blood.I looked over
to Austin to see him unconscious, along with Caleb, andBridgit. We
were put into the ambulance, and drove away.My vision
blurred. My eyes felt heavy, I fought to stay awake, to atleast find a
cloth to put pressure on my head.I quickly fell
back on a warm surface. A towel was on my head, puttingpressure on it."Shh." Austin
said.He gently
pushed it down. "Where are they taking us?""Police
station.""Who's driving?""You're
parents." he replied with a comforting smile.I smiled back,
and when the bleeding stopped, he sat me up, wrapped myhead in a
bandage, and managed to make it look like a headband."Why did Brian
knock us out?""Because he
wanted to help us, and he's willing to turn himself in."Austin
explained.
Chapter 15 - Author's
POVEveryone
watched in awe, as they saw went inside the police station with Brian."Excuse me,
sir?" he asked."Yes?""I have a
confession to make. I am a part of the reason why all thosegirls on that
board went missing. It's also the Mayor of Miami, andRoger." Brian
explained, and pointed towards Roger, who was currentlybeing dragged
in here by the security from the hospital."Where are all
the girls that were taken?""At the
hospital." he replied."Dalia Bennett?""She's right
there." he replied, referring to the young woman behind him."Bridgit
Rodriquez?""Also there.""Caleb
Mitchell?""Over there."
Brian simply replied."Okay, you are
under arrest for the kidnappings of Dalia, Bridgit, and Caleb."Brian put his
hands behind his back, handcuffed him and Roger, and puthim in the
holding cell."You ass!"
Roger yelled."I thought you
would be that last person to turn us in!" Roger yelled."Get over it,
it was your idea to do it, and I was stupid enough to goalong with it,
we did the crime, we pay for it. That's how it works!"he yelled.Roger sat there
quietly.Dalia,and
Austin walked over to the bar of the cell, Roger racedtowards it, but
Brian kicked him in the stomach.As Roger lied
down in fetal position holding his stomach."Guys.. I'm
sorry, both of you if you don't forgive me, I see why.""No,
it’s okay." Austin replied. However, Dalia was hesitant, but
shesaw the
sadness, and regret in his eyes."I forgive
you." I replied.Afterwards,
Austin and Dalia walked out of the police station, hand inhand, still in
their hospital gowns, still bruised, and scars gothrough out the
surface of their body."I'm so not
ready for court." Dalia admitted."Me neither."
Austin replied. They walked for a while, and stopped ata park, and sat
at the bench."Austin?""Yeah?""I'm going to
ask you a random question?""Shoot.""What can you
tell me about yourself?""I love
waffles, music is a passion of mine, I’m a pretty good dancer,I like
cheerleaders, but I like you more, my middle name is Michelle,and I used to
be petrified of umbrellas.""How about
you?" he asked."I have
terrible stage fright. I bite my nails, music is also mypassion,
I’m a terrible dancer, I clean when I’m sad, and I
likepickles." she
replied, with a smile on her face.Austin
chuckled. They went on and on like that all night.The next day,
Dalia was dressed up in a petite dress, with her haircurled, and put
down onto her shoulders.Austin wore a
dress shirt, with black shoes, and church pants.Caleb wore a
bow-tie shirt, with jeans, and sneakers.Bridgit dressed
up in a t-shirt, with black jeans, and sneakers."Austin?""Y-Yes sir."
Austin stammered, as he was up at the podium."You were
abused by Brian, correct?" he asked."Yes sir.""You knew that
those girls were kidnapped, but yet you did nothing.""I didn't know
what to do..""I'm sure you
did, since you did bring Miss Dalia to safety, didn't you?""Yeah, but..""But what?""I felt bad not
being able to do anything, so I decided to make a difference."Austin got down
from the podium, and every single one of them went anddid their
testimonies.The judge
trialed Brian, Lester, Roger, and Agent Moore under arrestfor
kidnappings, and rape, and aggravated assault.Austin went
over to Brian, and hugged him, brother to brother.Brian had no
look of regret, he's paying his time, and that's what hewants to do,
he's paying for his consequences.Dalia embraced
Austin in a warm hug.Even though
Brian was in jail, Austin was happy, they were all happy,that they were
finally going home to warm embraces.

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